Baltimore (/ˈbæltɪmɔːr/; Irish: Dún na Séad,[2] translated as "fort of the jewels") is a village in western County Cork, Ireland.

In ancient times, Dunashad was considered a sanctuary for druids and the place name is associated in Irish mythology with the feast of Bealtaine.

Evidence of ancient settlement in the area includes a number of ring fort, fulacht fiadh, souterrain, lime kiln and holy well sites in Baltimore townland.

[5] Baltimore is mentioned in an entry in The Genealogy of Corca Laidhe (translated by John O'Donovan in 1876) which refers to events in December 1413.

According to the account, the "Mayor of the City of Waterford", Simon Wicken, together with his bailiffs and armed men, sailed to "Balintimore" on Christmas Eve.

[9] These activities were unaffected by official discouragement under King James, but English piracy generally declined shortly thereafter, partly due to competition from Barbary pirates.

[8] Baltimore was granted borough status in 1612 with a town government consisting of a "sovereign" (Sir Thomas Crooke) and twelve burgesses.

Almost a year passed, 6 July 1848, before the Board requested the secretary to seek permission from Lord Carbery for a piece of ground ten yards in diameter, on which to build the beacon.

By the end of July, a reply had been received from Mr Arthur Perry-Aylmer informing the Board that Lady Carbery of Castle Freke near Rosscarbery had given her full permission to either rebuild or re-construct the existing beacon and granted free access as the beacon was a matter of such vast importance to fishermen and others.

By February 1849 inspector George Halpin reported that the masonry work of the beacon was complete but the iron staff and vane still had to be placed on top.

The conspicuous conical white-painted Baltimore Beacon, sometimes called the 'pillar of salt' or 'Lot's wife' is approximately 50 feet (15.2m) high and 5 yards (4.6m) in diameter at the base.